POCATELLO, Idaho – Idaho State softball defeated the University of Maine 13-6 Friday afternoon in Logan, Utah at the 2022 Aggie Classic. The Bengal offense took over and led the Bengals in a comeback victory over the Black Bears.
"Great to see the offense come alive today," said Head Coach Andrew Rich. "Our hitters have been working through some things the past few weeks and it is really starting to show."
Game 1 | ISU 13 – Maine 6
The Bengals defeated the University of Maine 13-6 in game one of the 2022 Aggie Classic in Logan, Utah Friday afternoon.
The meeting with the Black Bears was the first for the Orange and Black since 2010. Maine got on the board first with a solo home run in the second.
The Bengals didn't wait to respond, heading into the third, Frankie Tago brought Rheanne Lewis in to tie the game at 1-1.
The Bengal defense stepped up in the 3rd and went three up three down.
Going into the fourth, Mailee Newman singled up the middle. Jillian Martinez then came to bat hitting a double down the right field line, scoring another run and giving the Bengals a 2-1 lead.
The team headed to the fifth with a slim 2-1 lead.
Rheanne Lewis led the Bengals off with a double to left center.
Starting what would be a powerful day from the batter's box, Angelica Cano hammered a two-run home run over the left field wall and the Bengals went up 4-1.
The Black Bears roared back in the bottom of the 5th, scoring five runs to take a 6-4 lead.
This was the chance for this Idaho State team to show what they were made of.
Skyler Sethman led the Bengals off getting hit by a pitch, she was followed by a Newman single. Martinzez reached on an error by the Maine pitcher and Sethman scored.
Brook Richards came up to bat and hit a strong single bringing home Isabel Cargill pinch running and tying the game at 6-6. The Bengals weren't done yet.
Cano hit a huge 2 RBI double to right center and the Bengals retook the lead at 8-6.
Tago was not to be out done and scored cano on a single to center.
Piper Tago drew a walk on her next at bat and Morgan Hess reached a fielders choice.
Sethman coming up to bat once again, hammered a double to right field and brought home three Bengals, the rout was on and in an inning that started with the Bengals down 6-4, ended with the Orange and Black holding a commanding 12-6 lead.
The Bengal defense didn't let up in the bottom of the sixth and quickly dispatched the Black Bear offense.
Lewis put the 'icing on the cake' in the top of the seventh hitting her first home run of the season to score the Bengals season-high 13th run.
ISU closed out the bottom of the inning and the Bengals came away with the 13-6 win, a victory that proved their mettle.
Idaho State scored 13 Runs on 13 Hits with 11 RBIs, a season-high for the Orange and Black.
Idaho State hit six doubles against the Black Bears, this ties the Idaho State school record and is the third time in program history that it has been accomplished.
Five Bengals had two hits. Cano finished the game with a team-high four RBIs. Sethman followed with three.
Mareena Ramirez picked up the win for the Bengals, Coming in as relief with the Orange and Black down 6-4.
Game Two –( Postponed Top 6) ISU 8 -Utah State 5
Game two of the Aggie Classic was postponed at the top of the sixth inning due to lack of light in Logan.
The game will be completed before the start of Game two between the Bengals and the Aggies.
Cano currently leads the Bengals with five RBIs on two home runs.
"Gelly had a great day at the plate," Continued Rich. "She has a nice little hot streak going and when she's hot she's capable of carrying us a bit. When she's locked in it's a lot of fun to watch"
Notes
· 6 doubles against Maine ties the school record for team doubles in a game (vs Buffalo and Penn State, both in 2017)
· Rheanne Lewis hit her first homerun of the season in the top of the seventh inning in the win over Maine.
· 13 runs is a team-high for the Bengals this season
· 13 hits ties for team-high in the season (UTEP on 2/10 also 13 hits)
· 11 RBIs is a team-high for the Bengals
